Merriam-Webster announces 2017 word of the year

Every year, the Merriam-Webster dictionary reveals its 'word of the year' and this year's is all about girl power...

It's been a big year for the females of the world. Whilst there have been dark moments, there have been tremendous moments of change and success that are entirely worth celebrating. Locally, Saudi women were permitted to drive (with permits to be issued from June 2018) whilst internationally Patty Jenkin's female-led film Wonder Woman broke several records and women, celebrity and otherwise, rallied together for the #MeToo movement in a global show of unity and solidarity.

It's fitting then, as the year comes to a close, that Merriam-Webster dictionary should reveal its word of the year to be feminism.

Searches for the word increased 70 per cent since last year, the company's editor at large Peter Sokolowski told The Associated Press today. He also explained that searches spiked several times across the year following key events like the Women's March and the release of TV series The Handmaid's Tale (for which Elizabeth Moss has just been nominated for a Golden Globe).

Whilst it has appeared in the top 10 in previous years, 2017 marks the first time it has taken out the number one spot.